House Made of Dawn

## Discussion Questions: *House Made of Dawn* by N. Scott Momaday 1. **Identity and Belonging:** After returning to his Pueblo community from World War II, Abel feels a profound sense of alienation from both Native and mainstream American society. How does Momaday illustrate the conflict between Abel's Indigenous heritage and his experiences beyond his community? What does it truly mean to "belong" in the context of the novel? 2. **Language and Silence:** Abel is often depicted as a man of few words, yet the narrative is rich with oral traditions, ceremonies, and songs. How does Momaday utilize both language and silence to delve into Abel's inner thoughts and his connection to his culture? 3. **Trauma and Healing:** How does the novel depict Abel's struggles—such as alcoholism, violence, and displacement—as manifestations of historical and cultural trauma? Does the story ultimately present a path toward healing, and if so, what form does that healing take? 4. **Ceremony and the Natural World:** In what ways do rituals and the natural landscape serve as sources of meaning and renewal in the novel? Reflect on specific scenes, like the dawn run at the story's conclusion—what does this imagery convey about Abel's journey? 5. **Narrative Structure:** Momaday employs a fragmented, non-linear narrative that shifts between various perspectives. How does this structure mirror the themes of dislocation and cultural memory? What impact does it have on your reading experience? 6. **The "House Made of Dawn":** The title references a Navajo Night Chant. What significance does this reference hold throughout the novel? How does the idea of a "house"—representing home, cosmos, and self—interconnect with Abel's journey?

ap_lit · common_core_ela · ib_lang_lit · native_american_lit

## Discussion Questions: *House Made of Dawn* by N. Scott Momaday 1. **Identity and Belonging:** Abel grapples with his Native Pueblo heritage while navigating the dominant white American culture. How does Momaday illustrate the conflict between these two identities, and what does it reveal about the impact of cultural displacement? 2. **Language and Silence:** Abel is often portrayed as a man of few words, yet the novel is filled with rich, lyrical language. What part does language — whether spoken, ceremonial, or literary — play in shaping or disrupting identity? How might silence serve both as a sign of trauma and a means of resistance? 3. **The Land as Character:** The story begins and ends with Abel traversing the New Mexico landscape. In what ways does Momaday depict the Southwest's physical landscape as more than just a backdrop — what significance does the land hold for Abel and his community? 4. **Ritual and Ceremony:** Various traditional ceremonies appear throughout the novel (such as the rooster pull and the Night Chant). How do these rituals serve as pathways to wholeness? Why does Abel initially seem disconnected from their significance? 5. **War and Trauma:** After returning from World War II, Abel is profoundly altered. How does Momaday link Abel's war trauma to the wider historical trauma of colonization faced by Indigenous peoples? Are these traumas shown as distinct or interwoven? 6. **The Outsider Figure:** Characters such as the albino Juan Reyes and the Reverend Tosamah hold morally ambiguous positions. What do these "outsider" figures reveal about the novel's themes of belonging, purity, and spiritual authority? 7. **Narrative Structure:** Momaday employs a fragmented, non-linear narrative with shifting perspectives and timelines. How does this structural choice relate to the novel's thematic concerns? What impact does it have on your reading experience?

ap_lit · common_core_ela · ib_english · native_american_lit

## Discussion Questions: *House Made of Dawn* by N. Scott Momaday 1. **Identity and Belonging:** After returning to his Pueblo community from World War II, Abel feels profoundly disconnected. How does Momaday illustrate the conflict between Abel's Native American roots and the pressures to assimilate into modern American culture? What does "belonging" signify in the context of the novel? 2. **Language and Silence:** Abel often struggles to articulate his thoughts and feelings. In what ways does Momaday utilize silence as a literary element, and what does it reveal about the shortcomings of language — especially English — in expressing Indigenous identity and experience? 3. **Trauma and Healing:** How does the novel delve into the psychological scars left by war and cultural dislocation? In what ways do the ceremonial and oral traditions in the book act as avenues for healing for Abel? 4. **Structure and Time:** Instead of a linear timeline, Momaday presents the story in a non-linear, cyclical format. How does this narrative approach align with the novel's themes of memory, tradition, and Indigenous perspectives on the cyclical nature of existence? 5. **Land and Spirituality:** The description of the Jemez Pueblo landscape is imbued with a sacred quality throughout the novel. How does the connection between characters and their land reflect their spiritual and cultural integrity? 6. **The "Dawn Runner" Motif:** The story begins and ends with Abel running at dawn. What does this imagery symbolize, and how does it reshape your understanding of Abel's journey as you reach the conclusion of the novel? 7. **Colonialism's Legacy:** In what ways does Momaday portray the enduring impacts of colonization — such as forced displacement, religious conversion, and cultural loss — on individuals and communities? Are there characters who embody resistance or acceptance in response to these challenges?

ap_lit · common_core_ela · native_american_literature · multicultural_literature